Abbas has perfected the art of financial extortion. Every Monday and Thursday, as it were, the Palestinian Authority (PA) president has threatened to resign and/or dissolve the PA. This tactic has a twofold aim: cold hard European and American cash, and a gaze directed away from the PA's turmoil.
- The PA wants the following response from the international community: "Oh my God, we must do something to salvage the peace process. We need to put even more pressure on these Israelis before matters get out of hand."
- Abbas wants the world's eyes on Israel -- and Israel alone. That way, the fierce behind-the-scenes battle for succession that has been raging among the top brass of the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank will stay far from the limelight.
- The PA seeks a solution imposed upon Israel by the international community. Why negotiate when Western powers are prepared to do everything to see Israel brought to its knees?
Friday, January 15, 2016
How (and Why) Palestinian Leaders Scare the World
How (and Why) Palestinian Leaders Scare the World:
Wednesday afternoon links
Wednesday afternoon links - AEI | Carpe Diem Blog » AEIdeas:
"1. Chart of the Day I displays annual US oil production back to 1900, based on data released this week from the EIA for 2015.
Note that US oil output started declining steadily from the early 1970s when daily production peaked at 9.6 million barrels, and fell to about 5 million barrels in 2008 during the Great Recession.
But then the shale oil revolution started, and in only 7 years US oil production nearly doubled to an average of 9.43 million barrels per day last year, the highest output since 1972, and the fourth highest year in US history for average daily oil production (only the years 1970, 1971 and 1972 were higher).
Looking forward, the EIA forecasts average daily production this year of 8.7 million barrels and 8.5 million barrels per day in 2017."
"1. Chart of the Day I displays annual US oil production back to 1900, based on data released this week from the EIA for 2015.
Note that US oil output started declining steadily from the early 1970s when daily production peaked at 9.6 million barrels, and fell to about 5 million barrels in 2008 during the Great Recession.
But then the shale oil revolution started, and in only 7 years US oil production nearly doubled to an average of 9.43 million barrels per day last year, the highest output since 1972, and the fourth highest year in US history for average daily oil production (only the years 1970, 1971 and 1972 were higher).
Looking forward, the EIA forecasts average daily production this year of 8.7 million barrels and 8.5 million barrels per day in 2017."
Meet the New Attorney General: Same as the Old Boss: Loretta Lynch Involved in $$Billion Cover-up
Meet the New Attorney General: Same as the Old Boss: Loretta Lynch Involved in $$Billion Cover-up:
"The federal government’s unwillingness to prosecute HSBC was exposed by a former HSBC vice president and relationship manager in New York, John Cruz, who called the bank a “criminal enterprise.” Cruz was ignored by law enforcement authorities until he brought to WND 1,000 pages of customer account records that document his claims."
"The federal government’s unwillingness to prosecute HSBC was exposed by a former HSBC vice president and relationship manager in New York, John Cruz, who called the bank a “criminal enterprise.” Cruz was ignored by law enforcement authorities until he brought to WND 1,000 pages of customer account records that document his claims."MUST READ!!-----The Real Reason College Tuition Costs So Much
The Real Reason College Tuition Costs So Much - The New York Times:
"BOULDER, Colo. — ONCE upon a time in America, baby boomers paid for college with the money they made from their summer jobs.
Then, over the course of the next few decades, public funding for higher education was slashed. These radical cuts forced universities to raise tuition year after year, which in turn forced the millennial generation to take on crushing educational debt loads, and everyone lived unhappily ever after.
This is the story college administrators like to tell when they’re asked to explain why, over the past 35 years, college tuition at public universities has nearly quadrupled, to $9,139 in 2014 dollars.
It is a fairy tale in the worst sense, in that it is not merely false, but rather almost the inverse of the truth...
...Even more strikingly, an analysis by a professor at California Polytechnic University, Pomona, found that, while the total number of full-time faculty members in the C.S.U. system grew from 11,614 to 12,019 between 1975 and 2008, the total number of administrators grew from 3,800 to 12,183 — a 221 percent increase."
Then, over the course of the next few decades, public funding for higher education was slashed. These radical cuts forced universities to raise tuition year after year, which in turn forced the millennial generation to take on crushing educational debt loads, and everyone lived unhappily ever after.
This is the story college administrators like to tell when they’re asked to explain why, over the past 35 years, college tuition at public universities has nearly quadrupled, to $9,139 in 2014 dollars.
It is a fairy tale in the worst sense, in that it is not merely false, but rather almost the inverse of the truth...
...Even more strikingly, an analysis by a professor at California Polytechnic University, Pomona, found that, while the total number of full-time faculty members in the C.S.U. system grew from 11,614 to 12,019 between 1975 and 2008, the total number of administrators grew from 3,800 to 12,183 — a 221 percent increase."
Big question. Why did Snyder do this?-----How Michigan literally poisoned an entire city to save a few bucks
How Michigan literally poisoned an entire city to save a few bucks
Do you know what's bad?
Brain damage.
Do you know what's bad?
Brain damage.
Flint, Michigan, is finding this out after it accidentally gave its entire population at least a little bit of lead poisoning when it switched up their water supply.
In an attempt to save money for a cash-strapped city, Flint started drinking water from the Flint River — but ended up contaminating children with a poisonous heavy metal.
Governor Rick Snyder has declared a state of emergency, and the federal government is investigating.
In an attempt to save money for a cash-strapped city, Flint started drinking water from the Flint River — but ended up contaminating children with a poisonous heavy metal.
Governor Rick Snyder has declared a state of emergency, and the federal government is investigating.
Why on Earth did they do this?
Austerity.
Aside from the obvious humanitarian disaster, this is a stark demonstration of austerity's false economy.
Trying to be cheap on Flint's water supply will end up costing the state of Michigan (and probably the country as a whole) a ton more money than it would have to fix it properly in the first place.
Austerity.
Aside from the obvious humanitarian disaster, this is a stark demonstration of austerity's false economy.
Trying to be cheap on Flint's water supply will end up costing the state of Michigan (and probably the country as a whole) a ton more money than it would have to fix it properly in the first place.
...But emergency managers, particularly the ones appointed by Governor Snyder (a Republican) have been far more focused on cuts for their own sake, particularly crushing unionized public sector workers.
The idea to temporarily use Flint River water while another pipeline was being constructed was one of those cost-saving measures.
The idea to temporarily use Flint River water while another pipeline was being constructed was one of those cost-saving measures.
It was immediately obvious that the water was filthy, and residents loudly protested that it was cloudy, smelled bad, and tasted worse.
General Motors stopped using the water because it was literally corroding their machinery.
But Snyder and his handpicked head environmental official Dan Wyant studiously ignored the problem — despite internal warnings of lead poisoning as early as July of last year — until an outside scientific study demonstrated extreme levels of lead in Flint children.
In late December — over a year after the water switch — Snyder finally apologized and Wyant quietly resigned.
General Motors stopped using the water because it was literally corroding their machinery.
But Snyder and his handpicked head environmental official Dan Wyant studiously ignored the problem — despite internal warnings of lead poisoning as early as July of last year — until an outside scientific study demonstrated extreme levels of lead in Flint children.
...Now Snyder has already been forced to pony up over $10 million to switch the Flint water system back to the way it was before (hooked up to Detroit, basically), and the city is asking for some $50 million more to replace lead pipes.
But that's very likely only the beginning. Flint's population is roughly 100,000, and several families have already sued state and local officials over the lead issue.
It's unclear so far how badly the city's children have been poisoned, but it's a pretty safe bet the state will end up spending tens or perhaps even hundreds of millions on settlements.
But that's very likely only the beginning. Flint's population is roughly 100,000, and several families have already sued state and local officials over the lead issue.
It's unclear so far how badly the city's children have been poisoned, but it's a pretty safe bet the state will end up spending tens or perhaps even hundreds of millions on settlements.
And that's where a moral atrocity becomes an economic self-kneecapping.
Aside from the cost of settlements, children are the major portion of the future's economic capacity, which depends critically on their ability to function normally.
Destroying their brains with heavy metals will rather impede their ability to get the jobs and pay the taxes that will get Flint on a sound fiscal footing.
Aside from the cost of settlements, children are the major portion of the future's economic capacity, which depends critically on their ability to function normally.
Destroying their brains with heavy metals will rather impede their ability to get the jobs and pay the taxes that will get Flint on a sound fiscal footing.
Being a cheapskate can be expensive indeed."
Ex-CIA boss: ISIS soars on Obama’s watch
Ex-CIA boss: ISIS soars on Obama’s watch:"A former deputy and acting CIA director told lawmakers on Tuesday that Islamic State group’s recruitment has exploded under President Obama’s watch.
Michael Morell told the House Armed Services Committee that ISIS” has gained affiliates faster than al-Qaida ever did.” He said 20 countries now have terror affiliates that pledged allegiance to ISIS since last year, up from almost “nothing” last year."
Two "Mohameds" shoot up a Calgary bar, and NO ONE in the Media Party says the word "terrorism"
Two "Mohameds" shoot up a Calgary bar, and NO ONE in the Media Party says the word "terrorism" - The Rebel:
Late Saturday night in Calgary, Canada, two Muslim men, Mohamed Salad and Mohamed Elmi, drove up to a bar.
One of the Mohameds walked up to the door and shot in.
A 38-year old man inside the bar was hit by the bullet and was rushed to the hospital.
Bouncers and police subdued the shooter.
Then another thug got out of the car, and tries to pull his friend away from the bouncers until police tackle him too.
So two Mohameds are charged with attempted murder and firearms offences.
How did this story get covered in the mainstream media?
I'll show you the front page of the newspaper of record in Calgary today.
Seriously.
If you look on the left hand side of the page, you can see a microscopic mention: “Bouncers tackle gunman at Beltline night club."
That’s it.
If you go to the story inside the newspaper, you have to read all the way down to the 25th paragraph before you get to the name of the accused — the two Mohameds.
I examined literally 15 news stories — CBC, CTV, Canadian Press, etc., on this, and not one of them mentioned the word terrorism, even though the police said it was a possibility.
To me, that’s the really scary news out of Calgary.
Not that two Mohameds shot up a bar.
But that every journalist in the country did their level best to avoid talking about terrorism.
Late Saturday night in Calgary, Canada, two Muslim men, Mohamed Salad and Mohamed Elmi, drove up to a bar.
One of the Mohameds walked up to the door and shot in. A 38-year old man inside the bar was hit by the bullet and was rushed to the hospital.
Bouncers and police subdued the shooter.
Then another thug got out of the car, and tries to pull his friend away from the bouncers until police tackle him too.
So two Mohameds are charged with attempted murder and firearms offences.
How did this story get covered in the mainstream media?
I'll show you the front page of the newspaper of record in Calgary today.
- Big story about Leonardo DiCaprio at the top.
- Their main story is about traffic court.
Seriously.
If you look on the left hand side of the page, you can see a microscopic mention: “Bouncers tackle gunman at Beltline night club."
That’s it.
If you go to the story inside the newspaper, you have to read all the way down to the 25th paragraph before you get to the name of the accused — the two Mohameds.
I examined literally 15 news stories — CBC, CTV, Canadian Press, etc., on this, and not one of them mentioned the word terrorism, even though the police said it was a possibility.
To me, that’s the really scary news out of Calgary.
Not that two Mohameds shot up a bar.
But that every journalist in the country did their level best to avoid talking about terrorism.
Is this still "America"?-----Christian Farm Owners Fought Back Against $13,000 Fine for Refusing to Host a Gay Wedding
Christian Farm Owners Fought Back Against $13,000 Fine for Refusing to Host a Gay Wedding — but Here’s What Just Happened in Court | TheBlaze.com:
"A court has ruled against a husband and wife who own a farm in central New York, upholding a $13,000 fine that was imposed over the couple’s refusal to host a same-sex wedding on their property back in 2012.
The New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, upheld a punishment imposed by New York’s Division of Human Rights that included $10,000 in fines and $3,000 in damages to be paid by Cynthia and Robert Gifford, owners of Liberty Ridge Farm, a farm and special events venue in Schaghticoke, New York.
The couple was also reportedly told to implement mandatory courses that the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal firm, described in a press release as “re-education training classes designed to contradict the couple’s religious beliefs about marriage...”"
The New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, upheld a punishment imposed by New York’s Division of Human Rights that included $10,000 in fines and $3,000 in damages to be paid by Cynthia and Robert Gifford, owners of Liberty Ridge Farm, a farm and special events venue in Schaghticoke, New York.
The couple was also reportedly told to implement mandatory courses that the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal firm, described in a press release as “re-education training classes designed to contradict the couple’s religious beliefs about marriage...”"
The Unforgettable Villainy of Alan Rickman in “Die Hard”
The Unforgettable Villainy of Alan Rickman in “Die Hard” - The New Yorker:
"Alan Rickman, who died on Thursday, at the age of sixty-nine, was a classically trained actor who did time in the Royal Shakespeare Company and made his name in modern theatrical productions, notably “Les Liaisons Dangereuses,” which he starred in first in London, in 1985, and then on Broadway, in 1987.
Despite being passed over for John Malkovich when that play was turned into the movie “Dangerous Liaisons,” Rickman would go on to play dozens of memorable characters onscreen, including Professor Severus Snape in all eight Harry Potter movies, as well as to write and perform for the stage.
But, for philistines like me (and, it seems, for many others), Rickman was—and now always will be—Hans Gruber, the toothy, perfectly manicured, sphinxlike villain from the 1988 action movie “Die Hard.”..."
Despite being passed over for John Malkovich when that play was turned into the movie “Dangerous Liaisons,” Rickman would go on to play dozens of memorable characters onscreen, including Professor Severus Snape in all eight Harry Potter movies, as well as to write and perform for the stage.
But, for philistines like me (and, it seems, for many others), Rickman was—and now always will be—Hans Gruber, the toothy, perfectly manicured, sphinxlike villain from the 1988 action movie “Die Hard.”..."
The United West: Clinton-Obama Benghazi Gun Running Operation Exposed - Breitbart
The United West: Clinton-Obama Benghazi Gun Running Operation Exposed - Breitbart:
"(THE UNITED WEST) Clare Lopez of the Center for Security Policy, a member of the Benghazi Citizen’s Commission and former CIA intelligence officer, exposes Benghazi as a complete national security disaster resulting from the lack of leadership from President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."
"(THE UNITED WEST) Clare Lopez of the Center for Security Policy, a member of the Benghazi Citizen’s Commission and former CIA intelligence officer, exposes Benghazi as a complete national security disaster resulting from the lack of leadership from President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."
EUROPE MUSLIM MIGRANT CRISIS IN 3 PHOTOS: Koom-Ba-Ya Quickly Turned To Horror And Shock As 'Refugees' Showed Their True Colors ⋆ US Herald
EUROPE MUSLIM MIGRANT CRISIS IN 3 PHOTOS: Koom-Ba-Ya Quickly Turned To Horror And Shock As 'Refugees' Showed Their True Colors ⋆ US Herald:
"The human tragedy that is currently befalling Europe was as predictable as those events within a history book, and yet being naïve or perhaps attempting to be politically correct has proven to be catastrophic for many European leaders now attempting to cover-up the unspeakable acts committed by the Muslim hordes pretending to be refugees."
"The human tragedy that is currently befalling Europe was as predictable as those events within a history book, and yet being naïve or perhaps attempting to be politically correct has proven to be catastrophic for many European leaders now attempting to cover-up the unspeakable acts committed by the Muslim hordes pretending to be refugees."
History for January 15
History for January 15 - On-This-Day.com
Jean Baptiste Moliere 1622 - Playwright, Pierre S. DuPont 1870 - Industrialist, Edward Teller 1908 Physicist, Father of the hydrogen bomb
Lloyd Bridges 1913 Actor: ("Airplane!," "Airplane 2"), Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1929 - Pastor, leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement, Charo (Maria Martinez) 1951 Actress ("Chico and the Man," "Airport 79"), singer
1559 - England's Queen Elizabeth I (Elizabeth Tudor) was crowned in Westminster Abbey.
1844 - The University of Notre Dame received its charter from the state of Indiana.
1870 - A cartoon by Thomas Nast titled "A Live Jackass Kicking a Dead Lion" appeared in "Harper's Weekly." The cartoon used the donkey to symbolize the Democratic Party for the first time.
1892 - "Triangle" magazine in Springfield, MA, published the rules for a brand new game. The original rules involved attaching a peach baskets to a suspended board. It is now known as basketball.
1967 - The first National Football League Super Bowl was played. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League. The final score was 35-10.
1973 - U.S. President Nixon announced the suspension of all U.S. offensive action in North Vietnam. He cited progress in peace negotiations as the reason.
1974 - "Happy Days" premiered on ABC-TV.
1986 - President Reagan signed legislation making Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday a national holiday to be celebrated on the third Monday of January.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Read the Gun ‘Seizure’ Bill Introduced by Democrats That Will Likely Send a Chill Down the Spines of Georgia Gun Owners | TheBlaze.com
Read the Gun ‘Seizure’ Bill Introduced by Democrats That Will Likely Send a Chill Down the Spines of Georgia Gun Owners | TheBlaze.com:
"Those who do possess either an assault weapon or a large-capacity magazine, as defined in the text of the bill, on July 1, 2016, will need to either modify the weapon to magazine to “render it permanently inoperable or such that it is no longer an assault weapon or large capacity magazine” or give the firearm over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to be destroyed; gun owners will have an Oct. 31, 2016 deadline to do so.
Read the text of HB 731 for yourself here. And find out more about “assault rifles” here."
"Those who do possess either an assault weapon or a large-capacity magazine, as defined in the text of the bill, on July 1, 2016, will need to either modify the weapon to magazine to “render it permanently inoperable or such that it is no longer an assault weapon or large capacity magazine” or give the firearm over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to be destroyed; gun owners will have an Oct. 31, 2016 deadline to do so.Read the text of HB 731 for yourself here. And find out more about “assault rifles” here."
Mother of Benghazi Victim Gives Her Reaction to Seeing Michael Bay’s ’13 Hours,’ Screams ‘Hillary Is a Liar!’ on the Air | Video | TheBlaze.com
Mother of Benghazi Victim Gives Her Reaction to Seeing Michael Bay’s ’13 Hours,’ Screams ‘Hillary Is a Liar!’ on the Air | Video | TheBlaze.com:"During an interview on “The Kelly File” to discuss Michael Bay’s new film, “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” family members of two of the victims of the attacks on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012, said that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is not being truthful in her account of what occurred during the attack and its aftermath."
Newspaper Editor Calls for Gun Owners to Be Treated Like Sex Offenders
Newspaper Editor Calls for Gun Owners to Be Treated Like Sex Offenders
Of all the dumb ideas that anti-gunners come up with this one has to be near the top of the list.
But the paranoia of ignorant anti-protectionists would be laughable if it weren’t also directing the steps of our president.
The editor of the Baltimore Sun Tricia Bishop has come up with her own clever plan to equate being a gun owner with being a sex offender.
Apparently in her mind they are equally disturbing even though gun ownership is not only protected by the 2nd amendment but is also one of the biggest deterrents in thwarting the very crimes committed by sex offenders.
Of all the dumb ideas that anti-gunners come up with this one has to be near the top of the list.
But the paranoia of ignorant anti-protectionists would be laughable if it weren’t also directing the steps of our president.
Apparently in her mind they are equally disturbing even though gun ownership is not only protected by the 2nd amendment but is also one of the biggest deterrents in thwarting the very crimes committed by sex offenders.
Here is what the editor wrote in her column:
I’m less afraid of the criminals wielding guns in Baltimore, I declared as we discussed the issue, than I am by those permitted gun owners. I know how to stay out of the line of Baltimore’s illegal gunfire; I have the luxury of being white and middle class in a largely segregated city that reserves most of its shootings for poor, black neighborhoods overtaken by “the game.” The closest I typically get to the action is feeling the chest-thumping vibrations of the Foxtrot police helicopter flying overhead in pursuit of someone who might be a few streets over, but might as well be a world away. But I don’t know where the legal gun owners are or how to ensure that their children, no matter how well versed in respecting firearms, won’t one day introduce that weapon to my daughter.And so, as President Barack Obama announced plans this week to tighten background checks for gun buyers and increase gun tracking and research, I thought, that’s all well and good, but how about adding something immediately useful: a gun owner registry available to the public online — something like those for sex offenders. I’m not equating gun owners with predatory perverts, but the model is helpful here; I want a searchable database I can consult to find out whether my kid can have a play date at your house.
There are so many things wrong with these comments we could write 10 posts on a simple rebuttal, but we will leave the comment section below for that and simply write about a few glaring issues with this argument.
Did you notice how Bishop says she is more afraid of law abiding gun owners than she is of the crooks and criminals who carry guns to carry out their crimes?
So, this is the frame of mind we are dealing with here.
So, this is the frame of mind we are dealing with here.
Never mind that more gun deaths take place at the hands of those who illegally own them, but it’s often the law abiding gun owner that is able to stop or deter a crime, as we have reported hundreds of times in our defensive gun use section here..."
The morally repugnant response to the Cologne sexual assault gang
The morally repugnant response to the Cologne sexual assault gang
Does Germany's leadership class secretly want to destroy the European Union?
I'm beginning to wonder.
The news from Cologne, of the mass, semi-coordinated sexual assault of women revelers on New Year's Eve started dripping out on January 4 and 5.
And those first news stories, the ones that quoted the mayor of Cologne, or the ones that appeared in premier publications, like the The New York Times, had something strange in common.
They all framed the story in this way: Something regrettable happened in Cologne on New Year's Eve, and it could be really bad because it will cause people in Europe to think bad thoughts about immigrants, refugees, and migrants, or about the politicians who are committed to swelling their ranks in Europe.
"Reports of Attacks on Women in Germany Heighten Tension Over Migrants," said the respectable media.
The real scandal, it was implied, was not that these hundreds of allegedly North African and Arab men had groped, harassed, robbed, and raped women in the street.
Or that the police were inept or unwilling to stop it.
It was that this minority of a minority had, inadvertently, cooperated with the real evil stalking Europe: the populist backlash against mass immigration and its political enablers.
Less than a handful of the rapists have been arrested for the crimes they committed in the sight of police that night.
Europe's political class has already set about firmly scolding anyone who draws the wrong conclusions.
...It is hard not to notice that the European Union is failing in the tasks for which it was founded.
It was founded in the horror of the Holocaust.
And now its policy on migration is creating societies that are deeply hostile to Jews. And Jews have responded by evacuating Europe.
...If Europe begins to unravel in 2016, the proximate cause will have been the events in Cologne around midnight on Jan. 1.
Does Germany's leadership class secretly want to destroy the European Union?
I'm beginning to wonder.
The news from Cologne, of the mass, semi-coordinated sexual assault of women revelers on New Year's Eve started dripping out on January 4 and 5.
And those first news stories, the ones that quoted the mayor of Cologne, or the ones that appeared in premier publications, like the The New York Times, had something strange in common.
They all framed the story in this way: Something regrettable happened in Cologne on New Year's Eve, and it could be really bad because it will cause people in Europe to think bad thoughts about immigrants, refugees, and migrants, or about the politicians who are committed to swelling their ranks in Europe.
The real scandal, it was implied, was not that these hundreds of allegedly North African and Arab men had groped, harassed, robbed, and raped women in the street.
Or that the police were inept or unwilling to stop it.
It was that this minority of a minority had, inadvertently, cooperated with the real evil stalking Europe: the populist backlash against mass immigration and its political enablers.
Less than a handful of the rapists have been arrested for the crimes they committed in the sight of police that night.
Europe's political class has already set about firmly scolding anyone who draws the wrong conclusions.
...It is hard not to notice that the European Union is failing in the tasks for which it was founded.
It was founded in the horror of the Holocaust.
And now its policy on migration is creating societies that are deeply hostile to Jews. And Jews have responded by evacuating Europe.
...If Europe begins to unravel in 2016, the proximate cause will have been the events in Cologne around midnight on Jan. 1.
John Kerry Expresses ‘Gratitude’ to Iran After U.S. Sailors Are Released — Then Iranian State TV Publishes These Images | TheBlaze.com
John Kerry Expresses ‘Gratitude’ to Iran After U.S. Sailors Are Released — Then Iranian State TV Publishes These Images | TheBlaze.com:"Iran’s capture of 10 Navy sailors Tuesday came as a significant embarrassment for the U.S. as President Barack Obama delivered the State of the Union address that night and touted his Iranian nuclear deal."
A National Disgrace. Obama's anti-American policies have weakened our military.
Do you remember when we were the strongest nation in the world?
1,272 Milwaukee school employees make over $100,000 a year
1,272 Milwaukee school employees make over $100,000 a year | EAGnews.org:
"MILWAUKEE – It’s hardly a secret that Milwaukee Public Schools dug a deep financial hole over the years with overgenerous benefit packages for employees.
As far back as 2010, Milwaukee City Alderman Bob Donovan pointed out that the district was spending 74 cents on employee benefits for every dollar in salary.
The average teacher had benefits worth more than $40,000 per year, pushing total compensation packages for many teachers above $100,000.
Donovan called the situation “unsustainable and overly generous,” and he was absolutely correct.
...In the 2013-14 school year, for instance, an amazing total of 1,272 MPS employees had salary and benefit packages worth more than $100,000.
By comparison, the Seattle school district had only 313 employees receiving compensation packages worth at least $100,000 in 2014-15.
The San Francisco district had 769 that year.
All 1,272 of those MPS employees received five-figure benefit packages. The cost of benefits for individuals ranged between $23,000 and $90,000.
...With so many educators making very good money, one might assume that MPS students are getting a great education.
But that’s apparently not the case.
In 2013-14 the district received an overall score of 51.1 on a scale of 100 from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
That means the school district “failed to meet expectations.”
So maybe, just maybe, some of those 1,272 employees are just a bit overpaid?"
"MILWAUKEE – It’s hardly a secret that Milwaukee Public Schools dug a deep financial hole over the years with overgenerous benefit packages for employees.
As far back as 2010, Milwaukee City Alderman Bob Donovan pointed out that the district was spending 74 cents on employee benefits for every dollar in salary.
The average teacher had benefits worth more than $40,000 per year, pushing total compensation packages for many teachers above $100,000.
Donovan called the situation “unsustainable and overly generous,” and he was absolutely correct.
...In the 2013-14 school year, for instance, an amazing total of 1,272 MPS employees had salary and benefit packages worth more than $100,000.By comparison, the Seattle school district had only 313 employees receiving compensation packages worth at least $100,000 in 2014-15.
The San Francisco district had 769 that year.
All 1,272 of those MPS employees received five-figure benefit packages. The cost of benefits for individuals ranged between $23,000 and $90,000.
...With so many educators making very good money, one might assume that MPS students are getting a great education.
But that’s apparently not the case.
In 2013-14 the district received an overall score of 51.1 on a scale of 100 from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
That means the school district “failed to meet expectations.”
So maybe, just maybe, some of those 1,272 employees are just a bit overpaid?"
Montage: 140 Unfulfilled Obama Promises from Past SOTU Addresses
Montage: 140 Unfulfilled Obama Promises from Past SOTU Addresses :: Grabien - The Multimedia Marketplace:
"... President Obama deliver(ed) his final State of the Union address, which the White House says will refrain from the usual "laundry list" of new proposals.
That's probably a smart strategy, based on how successfully he's delivered on past State of the Union promises.
"... President Obama deliver(ed) his final State of the Union address, which the White House says will refrain from the usual "laundry list" of new proposals.
That's probably a smart strategy, based on how successfully he's delivered on past State of the Union promises.
Looking back, the numbers aren't pretty.
From 2009 through 2015, Grabien counts 140 promises that remain unfulfilled.
From 2009 through 2015, Grabien counts 140 promises that remain unfulfilled.
We should note that many of these promises are duplicated from one year to another.
For example, almost every year he has pledged to pass comprehensive immigration reform, overhaul corporate taxes, reduce regulations, and close Guantanamo Bay.
For example, almost every year he has pledged to pass comprehensive immigration reform, overhaul corporate taxes, reduce regulations, and close Guantanamo Bay.
Don’t have time to read all 140?
Here are some of the most notable:
Here are some of the most notable:
- Curing cancer (promised 2009, 2010, 2015)
- Freezing government spending for three years (2010) and five years (2011)
- Colonizing outer space (2015)
- Going “line by line” through the budget, eliminating needless programs (2009, 2010)
- Inventing “material thinner than paper but stronger than steel” (2014)
- Passing health reform that will let Americans keep their insurance (2010)
- Converting sunlight into liquid fuel (2015)
- Passing comprehensive immigration reform (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
- Closing Gitmo (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
- Ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (2014)
- Passing a law that will prevent mass shootings (2014)
- Keeping earlier promises he’s already made (2013)
The full list is below. Montage above. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments.
2009
1. The stimulus bill will create 3.5 million jobs over the next few years, 90 percent of which will be in the private sector.
2. Create program that will enable Americans facing foreclosure to lower their mortgage payments and save their homes.
3. Double the supply of renewable energy within the next three years.
4. The “largest ever” federal spending program on science will yield breakthroughs in energy, medicine, science, and technology.
5. Lay down 1,000s of miles of power lines to connect Americans’ homes to these new sources of energy.
6. Reduce Americans’ energy bills by “billions of dollars.”
7. Cure cancer “in our time.”
8. Use stimulus funds to spend on preventive health care, which will get federal health spending “under control.”
9. Use the savings that result from the stimulus’ reform of health-care to reduce the deficit.
10. Cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term in office.
11. Go “line by line” through the federal budget to eliminate wasteful and ineffective programs – saving $2 trillion over the next 10 years.
12. Never raise taxes “a single dime” on any family earning less than $250,000.
13. Stop the growing cost of Medicare and Social Security.
14. Make Social Security sustainable.
15. Create tax-free savings accounts for all Americans.
16. Close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.
Read on.
The dude is a BIG LIAR!
Read on.
The dude is a BIG LIAR!
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